Chapter 13: The Vampire's Bloodthirsty Instinct

The ignorant man folds his arms and eats his own flesh.

—Old Testament

"Thank you... I'll do it myself."

These words drew surprised glances from everyone present.

"Gla, you need not converse with lowly servants; even if you did, it would not elevate their pitiful status. You… no, you are about to become the Vistata Witch above all others. Just wait…" Niditara's words were abruptly cut off by Pujeo.

"Gla. Miss Vistata, why don't you have your meal first… If the servant's behavior has offended you…" Pujeo spoke with a smile, while his eyes gestured toward the timid servant beside Ivina.

　　"I will handle it immediately to avoid disturbing your meal." 

　　With that, the servant mechanically walked to the corner of the hall and without hesitation cut off his right hand, which had previously served the dishes. Despite the pain on his face, he did not utter a sound. 

　　The murky blue blood left Ivina, filled with guilt, speechless.

　　Was this vampire blood? Blue, flowing down like a torrent... 

"What a lowly bloodline, even the blood is so murky. Miss Gra. Visata, please enjoy your meal." A young man seated slightly behind her stood up and spoke flatteringly.

　　But Ivina couldn't hear anything at that moment. She had only meant to express her gratitude, so why... why did those words from the blond man lead to this scene before her eyes?

　　Deeply apologetic, Ivina said nothing and, following the "order," lowered her head to look at the object before her.

　　Blood-red pomegranates, emerald-green grapes. The stark contrast before her eyes. The tempting fruits made the hungry her drool with desire. However, a golden vessel caught her attention. Curiously, she opened the lid gleaming with metallic luster... Before her eyes, a sea of crimson. 

　　Her heart contracted violently.

　　Pu Jieao seized the moment and spoke with a smooth voice. 

"Gla. Sa, for my lady. For the rude and ignorant offense just now, I am willing to offer you delicious human blood as a gesture of forgiveness." 

Pu Jieao rose gracefully and bowed, his posture elegant.

　　Across from him was Ivina's pale face. 

　　Those few words confirmed her terrifying suspicion. Human blood—just looking at it was enough to make her tremble. 

　　Without hesitation, she pushed it toward Pu Jieao, terrified, completely unaware that her earlier actions had been so stiff and rude.

　　His refusal was met with obvious astonishment on the handsome blond man's face.

"Why? You who are so forgiving, can't you accept my sincere apology?" Pu Jieao feigned difficulty and respectfully pushed the vessel back to Ivina.

But everyone knew that the noble Count Pu Jieao had already lost face.

　　Even if the young woman had been granted a noble title, the count's status was no less than hers, after all, Pu Jieao possessed bloodline purity second only to the king's. 

　　The atmosphere was suffocatingly tense. Niditera observed quietly before speaking at the right moment. 

　　"Gla, must you be so stubborn? In the presence of the noble Count Pu Jieao, put away your childish antics that are laughable. Besides, it was you who insisted on tasting the local cuisine on the way here!" Niditara's tone was that of an elder scolding a mischievous younger relative, with traces of affection in both her eyes and words. 

　　Ivina was stunned; she couldn't understand. 

　　Niditara was the only one who knew her true identity... wasn't she?

　　She was human! Yet she had to drink the blood of her own kind...

　　Pity, pain, then she closed her eyes tightly. In this desolate land, she tasted deep helplessness for the first time.

　　The vampires looked at Ivina in confusion. Her spoon held human blood that no vampire could resist. What was she hesitating about?

　　The room fell silent.

　　Only the cold, metallic spoon clinked against the bowl. Her hands trembled as she slowly brought the crimson liquid to her lips. 

Was taking this step leading her into the abyss of sin? 

Ivina stared at the blood before her, hesitating.